Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Read Free Book Online Page B

yes. I am furious with you, but I can see that there may yet be hope for you. It seems you will not allow anyone to push you around, including me—will you? You fought me on this, and dammit, you got your way!"
    "I didn't mean to fight you, Papa," she said meekly.
    "Oh, yes, you did, Season—but I'm afraid your victory will be short-lived," he told her almost reluctantly.
    "What do you mean?" she asked, fearing her father had somehow convinced Lord Ransford to forgive her conduct and continue with the scheduled wedding.
    "I mean, miss, that King George was not at all pleased when this unpleasant incident reached his ears. He sent me home to settle your future." Season's father studied her lovely face for a long moment before he spoke again. "How would you like to see the American Colonies, Season?"
    Season was astonished. "I haven't given it much thought. There is a war going on in the Colonies, and I have no wish to be scalped by wild Indians."
    "Heaven help the Indian who would come up against you," he said laughingly; then his face turned serious. "You will pack your belongings immediately. I have made arrangements for you to take ship for the Colonies in three weeks time. When you reach your destination, you will be married to your cousin, Edmund Kensworthy."
    Season's mouth flew open, but her throat seemed to close off before she could make a reply. How could she go to the Colonies and marry a man she hadn't even met? She was being sorely punished for her behavior. Her father was sending her to the end of the world to marry a stranger. Would it not have been better to marry Lord Ransford? At least had she married him, she could have remained in her beloved England.
    "There's a war raging in those British holdings. The colonists don't like us," she said in a futile attempt to change her father's mind.
    "So there is. If you are fortunate, you will arrive in the Colonies without incident. Pray your damaged reputation doesn't precede your arrival."
    Season gripped her riding crop tightly in her hands. She was doomed! Surely this punishment far outweighed her crime. She feared she would be swallowed up in the wilds of the Americas, never to be heard from again!
     
    As Season's father had promised, no less than three weeks later she boarded the frigate Good Hope, bound for the American Colonies. Her numerous trunks were stowed below, and she was offered the best accommodations on the ship. Her father had accompanied her to the ship to make sure of her comfort and to introduce her to Mrs. Tibbs, who would be her chaperone for the duration of the voyage. The short, chubby, Mrs. Tibbs was joining her husband, who was a colonel in the dragoons. It had been arranged that Season would be staying with the Tibbs in New York, until such time as she could be presented to her cousin, Edmund Kensworthy, as his bride.
    When Mason Chatsworth took leave of his daughter, he bade her a brisk farewell and then left the ship without ceremony.
    Season stood at the railing of the Good Hope, feeling alone and deserted. As she watched the shores of England fade in the distant fog, tears of hopelessness blinded her. She had no one to blame for her predicament but herself, she thought miserably. Molly, Season's faithful servant, stood at her side, crying into a handkerchief and declaring her poor lady had been banished from England forever.
    As the days passed into weeks, Season was surprised to find she was enjoying the voyage. She was certain that if her destination were not America she would indeed feel happy. She was young, and her heart was full of adventure. Season tried, without success, to block out the thought of the stranger who awaited her arrival.
    She found the captain and his crew to be very respectful of her. She had lived so long in the country that she hadn't realized her father was such an important man. She had always known that her father was a personal friend of King George III, but she hadn't known what importance others placed